The family tradition goes back to 1952, when Johann Ganthaler built the Muchele Vinum Hotel; his grandchildren are now keeping that tradition alive in the third generation. The Muchele was radically restructured in 2015, together with South Tyrolean architect Stephan Marx, with boldly modern design and a strong feeling for the Heimat, the homeland. The Muchele is a very special hotel. The family runs it with a lot of heart, and it’s ideally situated just five kilometers outside of spa resort of Merano. It is a charming place with only 40 rooms and suites, all recently redesigned.

The painstaking design features locally sourced materials such as porphyry and chestnut wood, as well as ornate, symbolic iron latticework. This little place is ideal for anyone who loves visiting South Tyrol. The hotel bar is a large living space in the open air. Wine is a among the hotelier family’s greatest passions. As a result, the boss’s “office” is the new brick-earth enoteca, which proudly carries 402 labels. Whether in the rustic, 150-year-old Stube parlor from Val Venosta/Vinschgau, relaxing on the cool Moroso garden furniture or dining at the completely glassed-in restaurant, wine takes center stage at the Muchele – and the celebrating of it enhances the casual, buoyant atmosphere.

The Ganthaler family and its loyal employees take enough time to advise every guest personally. The head of the family, Hansjörg, loves leading wine tastings: they are always very rewarding and usually end up being quite entertaining. Guests at the Muchele constantly come into contact with the world of wine. Activities offered include wine walks from the hotel with the host family or a visit to the vineyards of the neighboring winery, Moarhof; another option for wine enthusiasts is a visit to the innovative Ansitz Eichenstein Winery (Marlengo/Marling), including tour and tasting. At the hotel’s casual, colorfully decorated bar there are always at least ten white and red wines open. In addition to wine and genuine South Tyrolean cuisine made with quality products, the Ganthaler family loves coffee. In fact, a family member has operated South Tyrol’s smallest coffee roastery in Vinschgau for the last three years, with a lot of passion and commitment. Quality beans are manually refined here, using traditional drum roasting.

One of the wine highlights is the Architecture Wine Days (Architektur-Weintage), which take place twice a year. Another major event is the International WineFestival, which brings countless wine producers selected from all over the world to Merano every year, on the second weekend in November.